Apparatus for forming and filling tear-strip envelopes



6. c. SPARKS Feb. 25, 1969 APPARATUS FOR FORMING AND FILLING PEAR-STRIP ENVELOPES Sheet of 4 Filed April 4, 1966 ATTORNEY 02 72 df w;% BY km Feb. 25, 1969 G. c. SPARKS I 3,429,099

APPARATUS FOR FORMING AND FI LLING TEAR-STRIP ENVELOPES Filed April 4, 1966 ATTORNEY Feb. 25, 1969 c, SPARKS 3,429,099

APPARATUS FOR FORMING AND FILLING TEAR-STRIP ENVELOPBS Filed April 4, 1966 Sheet 3 of 4 ATTORNEY 3,429,099 APPARATUS FOR FORMING AND FILLING TEAR-STRIP ENVELOPES Sheet 4 of 4 Feb. 25, 1969 G. c. SPARKS Filed April 4, 1966 ATTORNEY 11v VENTOR. 'ewye 6i W/if: W/d. M

E 4H 2 J l I a I 5 I" I i i g 1 3d ffw 0 D, 3 H

I 'l 'l I l I :l

United States Patent 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention discloses a method of and apparatus for packaging wherein a horizontally supported sheet is depressed along an elongate portion to fold the sheet into upstanding facing panels between which contents is deposited, the panels finally being pressed into seourement with each other.

This invention relates generally to packaging, and is especially concerned with improved apparatus and method for forming and filling tear-strip envelopes.

While the method and apparatus of the present invention has been primarily developed and employed in conjunction with envelopes of the type disclosed in US. Patent No. 3,197,120, and will be illustrated and described hereinafter with particular reference thereto, it is appreciated that the instant invention is capable of use with other envelope constructions, and also which applications are intended to be comprehended herein. Further, the terminology envelope, as used herein is inclusive of all applicable packages, such as three-dimensional packages, as well as blisterand shrink-type packages. 1

Accordingly, it is one object of the present invention to provide a packaging apparatus and method wherein a tear member or strip is more easily incorporated in a finished package.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus of the type described wherein a package is formed about its contents in a uniquely advantageous manner.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a packaging method and apparatus having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, which is extremely simple, rapid and economical, and which requires relatively inexpensive equipment having a long and reliable useful life.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, and combinations and arrangements of elements and method steps, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE la is a partial top plan view of apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIGURE 1b is a partial top plan view of the apparatus of the instant invention continued from FIGURE 1a;

FIGURE 2a is a side elevational view, partly in section of the apparatus of FIGURE 1a;

FIGURE 2b is a partial side elevational view of the instant apparatus continued from FIGURE 2a;

FIGURE 3 is a partial sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 33 of FIGURE 1b;

FIGURE 4 is a partial plan view similar to FIGURE 1b, but illustrating elements thereof in greater detail;

FIGURE 5 is a partial plan view similar to FIGURE lb, illustrating additional elements thereof enlarged for clarity;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 66 of FIGURE 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial plan view taken generally along the line 7-7 of FIGURE 2a, with a packaging sheet removed;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 8-8 of FIGURE 1a;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 9-9 of FIGURE 2a; and

FIGURE 10 is a simplified diagrammatic view of a control system for the instant apparatus.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIGURES 1a, lb, 2a and 2b thereof, a horizontally elongate frame is there generally designated 20, and may include a pair of laterally spaced elongate frame sidepieces 21 and 22. Any suitable frame structure may be employed to fix the sidepieces 21 and 22 in their laterally spaced relationship, and supporting legs or other suitable supporting means may he provided to maintain the frame at a desired elevation. Such reinforcing and supporting structure has been omitted for clarity.

Extending laterally between the frame sidepieces 21 and 22 at the upstream or inlet end of the frame 20 is a horizontal shaft 23, while a horizontal shaft 24 extends laterally between the frame sidepieces 21 and 22 medially between the ends thereof. An additional horizontal shaft 25 extends laterally between the frame sidepieces 21 and 22 at the downstream or discharge end of the frame 20. Rotatably carried by the shaft 23 may be a plurality of sprocket wheels 27, say three in number at laterally spaced locations along the shaft. The intermediate shaft 24 may be provided with a plurality of sprocket wheels 28, say two in number adjacent to opposite ends of the shaft 24. Carried by the shaft 25 may be a single sprocket wheel 29 located medially between the frame sidepieces 21 and 22. A pair of endless-conveyor members or chains 30 may each be trained about a respective pair of longitudinally aligned sprocket wheels 23 and 24. That is, each chain 30 extends along a respective frame side member 21, 22 being trained about an aligned pair of sprocket wheels 23 and 24. The chains 30 are each provided with a plurality of radially outstanding pusher members or pins 31, for a purpose appearing presently.

Trained about the laterally medial inlet-end sprocket Wheel 27, and the outlet-end sprocket wheel 29 is an additional endless-conveyor member or chain 32. Thus, the chain 32 is substantially longitudinally coextensive With the frame 20, being spaced laterally medially between the frame side members 21 and 22. Further, the chain 32 is provided at spaced locations therealong with a plurality of radially outstanding gripping mechanisms or clips 33. The clips 33 open outwardly away from the chain, and each opens at its opposite sides or ends longitudinally 0f the chain. Such a clip is best seen in FIGURE 4 as including a base part 34 extending laterally across and fixedly secured to a link of chain 32. An arm 35 projects rigidly from one end of the base part 34 radially outward away from the chain 32, and a relatively shorter arm 36 projects rigidly, radially outwardly of the chain 32 from the other end of the base part 34. Thus, the legs 35 and 36 are laterally spaced apart and combine with the base part 34 to define a somewhat U-shaped member. Carried by the shorter leg 36, pivotally connected thereto, as by a pin 37, may be a finger 38 swingable toward and away from the leg 35. Rigid with the finger 38 and extending generally oppositely therefrom is a cam member or arm 39. By suitable resilient means, the finger 38 is biased about the axis of pin 37 toward the fixed leg 35 to grip or clip an article between the finger 38 and leg 35, as will appear more fully hereinafter.

Along one sidepiece 21 of the frame 20, adjacent to the discharge end thereof, may be mounted a generally horizontally disposed cylinder 41 having a reciprocatory piston rod 42 extending from the cylinder. A drive member or toothed rack 43 may be carried by the piston rod 42, extending longitudinally along the frame member 21 to a point beyond the shaft 25. This is best seen in FIGURES lb and 3, the latter figure illustrating a supporting roller 44 on the underside of rack 43 to support the latter in rolling engagement therewith upon rearward extension and forward retraction of the rack with the piston rod 42. A gear 45 is arranged in meshing engagement with the teeth of rack 43 and connected in driving relation with shaft 25, as by a one-way clutch 46, which may be of any conventional construction.

Thus, upon reciprocation of the piston rod 42 responsive to actuation of the cylinder 41, as will be described more fully hereinafter, the rack 43 is reciprocated longitudinally and effects rotary oscillation of the gear 45. Rotary oscillation of the gear 45 is transmitted, in one direction only, to the shaft 25, which thereby effects intermittent, unidirectional rotation of sprocket wheel 29. This, in turn, effects intermittent, unidirectional rotation of the endless-conveyor members or chains 32 and 32 in a generally clockwise direction, as seen in FIGURES 2a and 2b.

Adjacent to the forward or inlet end of the frame 20, there may be provided a feeding mechanism, generally designated 50, say located over the frame. The feeding mechanism may, itself be conventional, for the feeding of envelope blanks or sheets, and may include a downwardly opening hopper or sheet dispenser 51 suitably mounted in elevated condition, as by support means 52 n over the inlet region of the frame 20. The hopper 51, as illustrated herein, is adapted to contain a pair of stacks 53 of envelope blanks or substantially flat sheets, say of thermoplastic-coated paper, or other suitable material. A delivery arm 54 is pivotally mounted at one end, as by a journal 55 on the frame 20 adjacent to the inlet end thereof, and is swingable between an elevated position adjacent to the open underside of hopper 51, and a lowered position extending beneath the upper runs of chains 30 and 32. The blank-delivery structure or arm 54 may be provided with a plurality of suction cups 56, or other suitable holding means for holding engagement with the lowermost sheets of stacks 53 to withdraw the latter from the hopper 51 to deliver the sheets downward toward the frame 20.

Mounted on respective frame members 21 and 22, below the sheet-containing hopper 51 are respective sheet-guide members and 61. The guide members 60 and 61 extend longitudinally of their respective adjacent frame sidepieces 21 and 22, and may be located along the frame 20 in position to receive between the guide members a blank or sheet 62 from a sheet stack 53 upon downward movement of the delivery arm 54. In the illustrated embodiment the delivery arm 54 delivers a pair of sheets or blanks 62 and 64 downward toward the frame 20 at the same time, the delivered sheets being spaced longitudinally of the frame, and received between the sheet guides 60 and 61. The sheets 62 and 64 may be prescored or creased at 63 to facilitate subsequent folding or bending. The simultaneously delivered pair of sheets 62 and 64 may rest on the upper edges of frame sidepieces 21 and 22, extending thereacross, and on intermediate supports or rails 65 spaced above the chains 30 and 32. This delivery of sheets 62 and 64 is effected by downward swinging of arm 54 and release of sheet-holding by suction cups 56.

Both the delivered sheets 62 and 64 have their upstream edges located for engagement with pusher members or pins 31 of the laterally spaced chains 30, so that upon movement of the chains, the sheets 62 and 64 are conveyed downstream along the frame 20. As best seen in FIGURE 2a, the sheets 62 and 64 at the delivery station beneath the feed mechanism 50 extend across and above respective gripping mechanisms or clips 33 of the chain 32. If desired, suitable hold-down means, such as resilient wires may engage the delivered sheets 62 and 64 to maintain the same in against the rails 65 for positive feeding by pins 31.

Just downstream of the feeding mechanism 50 and nether sheet-receiving region of the frame 20, there is provided on the frame a forming mechanism, generally designated 66. This may include a supporting structure having upstanding side walls 67 and 68 along respective frame sides 21 and 22, and a top member 69 bridging the side Walls spaced over the frame. The side walls 67 and 68 are spaced sufficiently to receive therehetween the previously delivered sheets 62 and 63 from between guides 60 and 61.

Carried on the top member 69 may be a generally upstanding cylinder 70 having a piston rod 71 depending through the top member and vertically reciprocable therein upon energization of the cylinder. The piston rod 71 may carry, at its lower end, a pair of forming members 72 and 73, which may be in the nature of generally vertically disposed fiat plates arranged coplanar with each other longitudinally of the frame 20 over the laterally medial chain 32. The forming members or plates 72 and 73, the former being downstream of the latter, are thus vertically movable downward to engage their lower edge regions in respective clips 33, and retractable upward away from the clips. Guide pins 74 and 75 may upstand from respective forming members 72 and 73 and extend slidably through the top member 69, if desired, as shown in FIGURE 20.

It will now be appreciated that the previously deposited envelope blanks or sheets 62 and 64 are conveyed to the forming mechanism 63 by the pins 31 with the forming members 72 and 73 raised. Upon lowering of the forming members 72 and 73 the sheets or blanks therebelow are engaged along their centerlines longitudinally of the frame 20, simultaneously being folded along their engaged regions and forced into respective clips 33, as represented by the condition of sheets 77 and 78. In this condition the sheets 77 and 78 have been doubled or folded upon themselves to form a pair of facing panels upstanding from the lowermost folded region, which region is en gaged in a clip 33. The piston rod 71 may then be elevated to withdraw the forming members 72 and 73 from the respective folded sheets 77 and 78, leaving the latter in their upstanding position gripped by respective clips 33. The folded sheets 77 and 78 may thus be considered as open or unsealed envelopes.

Downstream of the forming mechanism 66, adjacent to the discharge end of the frame 20 there may be provided a sealing or closing mechanism, generally designated 80. The sealing or closing mechanism 80' may include a pair of upstanding supports 81 and 82 carried by respective frame sides 21 and 22, and each provided, outboard thereof, with a cylinder 83 and 84. The cylinders 83 and 84 may be in substantial alignment with each other transversely of the frame 20, respectively having piston rods 85 and 86 projecting through supports 81 and 82 toward each other. Carried on the inner ends of respective piston rods 85 and 86 may be sealing members or platens 87 and 88. The sealing members 87 and 88 may be generally fiat and in facing relation with each other, and may be provided with heating means of suitable configuration, if desired. Upon actuation of cylinders 83 and 84, the pressure or sealing members 87 and 88 are reciprocated toward and away from each other in their facing relationship, for a purpose appearing presently.

Carried by the sealing member 87 downstream thereof are a pair of laterally inwardly extending arms 89 spaced longitudinally of the frame 20 and each carrying a cutting element 91. A similar pair of laterally inwardly extending arms 90 are carried on the downstream end of sealing element 88, being spaced longitudinally of the frame 20 and carrying respective cutting elements 92. The cutting elements are thus movable with the sealing members into and out of cutting relation with each other at longitudinally spaced locations along the frame.

Located along the frame 20, intermediate the forming means 66 and sealing means 80, there is provided a supply means, generally designated 94, for supplying to the packages being formed an elongate flexible element or tear member. In particular, the tear member-supply means 94 may include a support 95 carried by the frame 20 for supporting a spool 96 of elongate flexible tear-member material, such as string, or the like. A tear-member guide 97 may be carried by the support member 95, and may be defined by a tubular member having one end opening upwardly for receiving tear-member material 98, and its other end extending to open over the envelopes being formed.

That is, a series of folded sheets or open envelopes having left the forming mechanism 66 are respectively designated 99, 100 and 101 in the upstream direction. These open envelopes or facing panels of folded sheets, are gripped by respective clips 33 for movement therewith along the chain 32. The guide member or tube 97 may have its discharge end located between the upper regions of passing open envelopes, being illustrated as between the upper panel regions of open envelope 99 in FIGURE 20.

An additional pair of open envelopes carried by clips 33 are illustrated in position between sealing member 87 and '88, being respectively designated 102 and 103 in the upstream direction in FIGURE 2b. It will there be seen that the tear-member material 98 extends generally horizontally and longitudinally of the frame 20 between upper facing panel regions of the envelopes 102 and 103. Upon actuation of cylinders 83 and 84 to move the sealing members 87 and 88 toward each other, the panels of envelopes 102 and 103 are effectively closed and sealed together, as by a specifically configured application of heat to the thermoplastic-coated panels, or other suitable sealing means. In this manner, the tear-member material 98 is effectively secured within the sealed envelopes. Of course, the desired contents have been previously deposited in the envelope, as between the open panels thereof, say at the location of open envelope 101. Further, securement of the tear-member material 98 between the sealed envelopes 102 and 103 effects withdrawal of additional tear-member material and location of the withdrawn tear-member material between the next adjacent pair of envelopes 99 and 100 when the envelopes 102 and 103 are shifted rightward, as seen in FIGURES 1a, lb, 2a and 2b.

The envelopes sealed prior to envelopes 102 and 103 are those designated 106 and 107 in the upstream direction, which were moved downstream or rightward as seen in the drawings, when the envelopes 102 and 103 were moved into the sealing position. Upon the movement of sealing members 87 and 88 into sealing engagement with envelopes 102 and 103, the cutting members 91 and 92 are moved into cutting engagement with the tear-member material between envelopes 106, 107 and 102. Thus, the tear-member material is severed to free envelopes 106 and 107 from each other and the successive envelopes, as best seen in FIGURE 5. Of course, the envelopes 106 and 107, although free of other envelopes by having their tear members severed, remain gripped in the clips 33 for movement therewith.

At the discharge end of frame 20, say carried by frame member 21, may be located an envelope-discharging mechanism 109. The discharging mechanism may include a cylinder 110 having a reciprocatory piston rod 111 having on its outer end a generally U-shaped yoke 112. The piston rod 111 and yoke 112 are reciprocable toward and away from the chain 32 upon actuation of piston 110. More particularly, the free ends of the yoke 112 are engageable with the resiliently yieldable portions 39 of adjacent clips 33 to pivot the respective fingers 38 and release the previously carried envelopes 114 and 115. The released envelopes may fall gravitation-ally to a receptacle, conveyor, or the like for subsequent handling.

It will now be appreciated, in accordance with the teachings of the instant invention, that substantially flat sheets are supplied by the sheet-feeding mechanism 50 in generally horizontal relation to the conveyor defined by chain mechanisms 30 and 32 for movement therealong. The sheets are depressed along an elongate portion thereof to fold the sheets into upstanding facing panels disposed generally longitudinally of the path of conveyor movement. This folding operation is accomplished by the forming mechanism 66. After folding the desired contents may be deposited between the panels of the folded sheets. The flexible tear-member material 98 is located between the facing sheet panels, and the panels are secured together to retain the tear-member material therebetween. It will also now be understood that the tear-member material is drawn into proper relationship between the panels of open envelopes by movement of the tear-member material with previously closed or sealed envelopes. Subsequent to scaling of the envelopes, after the sealed envelopes have accomplished their tearme-mber-material drawing function, the tear-member material may be severed from between the sealed envelopes.

A control system for the instant apparatus is diagrammatically represented in FIGURE 10, including a fluidsupply conduit 120, say leading from a source of hydraulic or pneumatic fluid pressure. A branch conduit 121 extends from supply conduit to cylinder 41 to drive rack 43 in one direction. The rack 43 may be returned in the other direction by any suitable means, say fluid pressure applied to a conduit 122. Additional branch conduits 123 and 124 extend from the supply conduit 120 for respective connection to sealing cylinders 83 and 84, to effect movement of the sealing members 87 and 88 in one direction toward or away from each other. Any suitable means may be employed to return the sealing means 87 and 88, as by fluid pressure applied to conduits 125 and 126 connected to respective cylinders 83 and 84. An additional branch conduits 127 may be connected from the branch conduit 124 to the cylinder 70 for effecting movement of forming members 72 and 73 in one direction, the return stroke thereof being accomplished by any suitable means, such as fluid pressure applied through a conduit 128 to the cylinder 70. The supply conduit 120 may terminate in connection with the cylinder 110 for actuating the piston rod 111 and U-shaped member or yoke 112 in one direction, return movement thereof being accomplished by any suitable means, such as fluid pressure applied to a conduit 129 connected to the cylinder 110.

It is, of course, understood that the apparatus and method of the instant invention are not limited to any particular type of control means, the fluid-control means of FIGURE 10 being shown by way of illustration only and without limiting intent. Suitable priming of the various parts in the fluid-control means of FIGURE 10 may be accomplished very easily by delay valves, or other suitable means.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides an apparatus and method for forming and filling tear-strip envelopes and packages, which fully accomplish their intended objects and are well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Packaging apparatus comprising conveying means for conveying a series of open envelopes along a path, sealing means at one location along said path for successively sealing envelopes carried by said conveyor means, tear-member supply means at a location along said path upstream of said sealing means for supplying a continuous elongate flexible tear member to successive envelopes for sealing therein, clips on said conveyor means opening outwardly therefrom for receiving and releasably holding said envelopes, sheet-feeding means located along said path upstream of said tear-membersupply means for successively feeding sheets to said conveyor means overlying said clips, and forming means located along said path intermediate said sheet-feeding means and tear-member-supply means for folding and engaging said sheets int-o underlying clips to define said open envelopes.

2. Packaging apparatus according to claim 1, said sealing means comprising presser members releasably engageable with opposite sides of said envelopes to seal the latter.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, said clips and forming means being oriented to fold and hold said sheets with the folds thereof extending longitudinally of said conveyor means, and said tear-member-supply means comprising a source of flexible elongate tear-member material, and a guide for guiding said tear-member material from said source into position within said envelopes as the material is drawn 01f by movement with sealed envelopes.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

NEIL ABRAMS, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 53-l83, 373 

